Hillsborough survivors 'scared and intimidated' by police

JUSTICE: Hillsborough campaigners have hit out at the latest allegations against police [GETTY]

A BBC Newsnight programme last night heard accusations from fans who survived the 1989 disaster against West Midlands Police, the force tasked with investigating the catastrophe.

One supporter - who attended the FA Cup semi-final where 96 people were killed - claims officers told him he could face prosecution for suggesting South Yorkshire police failings caused a fatal crowd crush.

"I'm a 19-year-old boy, three weeks out of Hillsborough, traumatised, and he's threatening me that he's going to put together a case for wasting police time because he didn't like my evidence," said Nick Braley.

Another fan, who did not want his real name used on the programme, claimed officers refused to let him read his own statement.

'John' said police told him: "I've written what you told me. All you need to do is sign this now."

TRAGEDY: Fans were crushed to death in the Leppings Lane end of the ground [PA]

“It’s terrible to think of what all of our fans were put through – and they were made to feel so guilty”

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support group

A new inquest into the Hillsborough tragedy is set to begin later this year.

In December 2012, verdicts of accidental death from the original inquest were quashed.

A new study of documents by the Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed statements from South Yorkshire police officers were altered.

The aim appears to have been to shift blame away from the force and onto fans.

Campaigners today spoke out against the latest allegations against police.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support group, lost her 18-year-old son James during the tragedy.

She said: "It’s terrible to think of what all of our fans were put through – and they were made to feel so guilty.

"They [West Midlands Police] took the statements at the most traumatic times of their lives.

"That beggars belief. But it does not shock me because I have heard so many tales of this.

“The fact that this lad is still going through this today is a disgrace.

"What he tried to do was to help. The way they acted does not shock me.”